Peter O'Toole - Biography - IMDb Peter O'Toole Biography Showing all 99 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (2) | Spouse (1) | Trade Mark (7) | Trivia (56) | Personal Quotes (29) Overview (4) 6' 2" (1.88 m) Mini Bio (2) A leading man of prodigious talents, Peter O'Toole was raised in Leeds, England, the son of Constance Jane Eliot (Ferguson), a Scottish nurse, and Patrick Joseph O'Toole, an Irish bookie. As a boy, he decided to become a journalist, beginning as a newspaper copy boy. Although he succeeded in becoming a reporter, he discovered the theater and made his stage debut at 17. He served as a radioman in the Royal Navy for two years, then attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where his classmates included Albert Finney , Alan Bates and Richard Harris . He spent several years on-stage at the Bristol Old Vic, then made an inconspicuous film debut in 1960.

In 1962, O'Toole was chosen by David Lean to play T.E. Lawrence in Lean's masterpiece, Lawrence of Arabia (1962). The part made O'Toole an international superstar. He continued successfully in artistically rich films as well as less artistic but commercially rewarding projects. He received Academy Award nominations (but no Oscar) for seven different films. However, medical problems (originally thought to have been brought on by his drinking but which turned out to be stomach cancer) threatened to destroy his career and life in the 1970s. He survived by giving up alcohol and, after serious medical treatment, returned to films with triumphant performances in The Stunt Man (1980) and My Favorite Year (1982). His youthful beauty lost to time and drink, O'Toole has found meaningful roles increasingly difficult to come by, though he remains one of the greatest actors of his generation. He has two daughters, Pat and Kate O'Toole , from his marriage to actress Siân Phillips . He also has a son, Lorcan O'Toole , by model Karen Brown. He partnered with Jules Buck in "Keep Productions".

He attended a Catholic school where the nuns beat him to correct his left-handedness. O'Toole & Karen Brown's son's name is Lorcan O'Toole . From 1952 to 1954 he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art as a scholarship student. The title character in the comic strip "Alan Ford", widely popular in Italy, is styled after the physical features of Peter O'Toole Coaching cricket professionally in London. [1997] Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#47). [1995] His daughter Kate O'Toole is a well-respected actress in her own right. Is a supporter of Sunderland football club of the English Premiership. Father was Irish, mother was Scottish. He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2000 for Outstanding Achievement Award for his theatrical career. Was friends with fellow Irish actor Richard Harris . After Harris died, his family hoped that O'Toole would replace him as Professor Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), but the role went to Michael Gambon instead.

He is only one of six performers to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. He was nominated as Henry II in Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968). The other five are Bing Crosby as Father O'Malley in Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974), Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler (1961) and The Color of Money (1986), Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in Rocky (1976) and Creed (2015). Furthermore, O'Toole is the only one of these six who was nominated for playing the same character (at two different stages in his life) in films that were not a prequel or sequel to the other. Became an Associate Member of RADA.

Both he and his fellow Irish actor (and close friend), the late Richard Harris appeared in versions of 'Gulliver's Travels': Harris played the 1977 film version Gulliver's Travels (1977) and O'Toole played the Emperor of Lilliput in the 1996 TV-film version Gulliver's Travels (1996), where Ted Danson played Gulliver.

Has portrayed three kings, one of them twice (King Henry II in Becket (1964) also in The Lion in Winter (1968)), one of them fictional (Sir/King Cedric Willingham in King Ralph (1991)) and King Priam in Troy (2004), two emperors, one of them real (Emperor Tiberius Caesar in Caligula (1979)) and one of them fictional (Emperor of Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels (1996)), a fictional prince (Prince Meleagre in The Rainbow Thief (1990)), a real president (President Paul von Hindenburg in Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003)), a real Pope (Pope Paul III in The Tudors (2007)) and several lords. In 1976 he underwent surgery to remove parts of his stomach and intestine, at the time attributed to his heavy drinking, but later disclosed to be stomach cancer. In the following year he almost died from a blood disorder. These two serious illnesses greatly affected his ability to work at that time.

When he was named the recipient of a Special Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2003, he originally intended to turn it down feeling that the lifetime award signaled the end of his career. He wrote the Academy a letter stating that he was "still in the game" and would like more time to "win the lovely bugger outright." It was only after the Academy informed him that they were bestowing the award on him whether he came to collect it or not that he relented. His performance as "T.E. Lawrence" in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) is the #1 ranked performance of all time in Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006). The 1976 film adaptation of the book "The Man Who Fell To Earth", directed by Nicolas Roeg , was originally meant to be a vehicle for O'Toole. His performance as "Alan Swann" in My Favorite Year (1982) is ranked #56 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. Nominated 8 times for best actor but has never won an Academy Award. He has more nominations without winning than any other actor.

Cites Rose Byrne and Jodie Whittaker as the best young actresses he has ever worked with. Was a close friend of late actress Katharine Hepburn . Although some believe his daughter, Kate O'Toole is named after Hepburn, according to Sian Phillips' autobiography they named their daughter after Kate, the title character in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". They were inspired by the line in the play "Kate, sweet Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom". Was originally approached by director Billy Wilder to play "Sherlock Holmes" in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), opposite Peter Sellers as "Dr. Watson". Wilder later decided to go with lesser known stars instead. While at RADA in the early 1950s he was active in protesting British involvement in the Korean War. Later in the 1960s he was an active opponent of the Vietnam War. A close friend of April Ashley . Has named Eric Porter as the actor who has influenced him most.

He was almost cast as Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (1964) due to concerns that Rex Harrison was too old for the part, but his salary demands were more than producer Jack L. Warner was willing to pay. Broke his hip while filming Venus (2006), but returned to work after only three weeks. It is interesting to note that the DVD of Rogue Male (1976) has a two page biography of Peter O'Toole that at the end reads as follows: Peter O'Toole died in 2003 after a long illness. Whoever entered that erroneous fact must have been very surprised to see Peter show up at the Academy Awards for his nomination in Venus (2006). Resides in Galway, Ireland and London, England. Was the original choice to play King Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons (1966) but Robert Shaw , who went on to receive a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his performance, was cast instead. His actual date of birth went unrecorded, and O'Toole has said himself that he may have been born in June 1932.

Allegedly declined a knighthood for political reasons in 1987. Has said that he learned more about acting by working with José Ferrer in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) than in any acting class. Ferrer himself considers that role to be his best. Ironically, Ferrer nearly declined the role he played because it was so small -- roughly five minutes out of a four hour movie. Won his career-making part in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) after it was turned down by superstar Marlon Brando and a then-unknown Albert Finney . Both director David Lean and producer Sam Spiegel (who produced On the Waterfront (1954), the movie for which Brando and Spiegel won their first Oscars) wanted Brando, but he turned the role down (allegedly saying he didn't want to spend two years of his life riding on a camel). Finney was put through extensive screen-tests costing 100,000 pounds, but refused to sign a seven year contract demanded by Spiegel. O'Toole signed the seven-year contract and got the part. Is a lifelong cricket and rugby fanatic.

According to his daughter Kate O'Toole , the actor wears green socks every day due to personal superstitions. He played the first Roman Emperor Augustus in Imperium: Augustus (2003), whereas his ex-wife, Siân Phillips , played Augustus' wife, Livia, in I, Claudius (1976). Was scheduled to star with Toshirô Mifune in "Will Adams", to be directed by John Huston , with screenplay by Dalton Trumbo and produced by Eugene Frenke and Jules Buck . "A daring adventurer challenges the traditions of a mighty empire". (July 10, 2012) Announced his retirement from acting. Chosen by GQ magazine as one of the 50 most stylish men of the past 50 years. Remained friends with ex-wife Siân Phillips after their divorce. He worked with Peter Sellers , Woody Allen , Ursula Andress and Burt Bacharach on both What's New Pussycat (1965) and Casino Royale (1967).

In his later films (from the 1980s onwards) he is frequently seen wearing an Irish Claddagh ring on the third finger of his right hand. After his death his ashes were brought back to Ireland, where they are held in safe keeping by President Michael D Higgins in his official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, until he can be laid to rest in the west of Ireland. He appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners: Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Last Emperor (1987). He was offered the role of Grigori Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) but he turned it down. Tom Baker was eventually cast. ‎Becket (1964) directed by Peter Glenville • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd #1 of 12 films in my Adapted Screenplay Challenge The English rendition of this 1959 French stage play by Jean Anouilh made its Broadway debut at the St. James Theatre on October 5, 1960. The cast starred Anthony Quinn as Henry II and Laurence Olivier as Thomas Becket.

As hard as it may be to imagine two actors better suited to those roles, the film version cast Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton, respectively, opening on March 11, 1964. Both versions were directed by Peter Glenville. "Thinking has never agreed with an Englishman. It's unhealthy. Besides, a gentleman has better things to do." ~ 2nd Baron The play takes the form of a reminisce, opening with the King waiting to be… 2 ‘Forks?’ ‘New little invention, it’s for pronging meat and carrying it into the mouth. It saves you dirtying your fingers.’ ‘But then you’ll dirty the fork.’ ‘Yes, but it is washable.’ ‘So are your fingers. I don’t see the point.’ I could only vaguely recall the story of Thomas Becket from my history classes as a twelve year-old, but the majority of the details had escaped me. To be honest I was probably paying more attention to flicking elastic bands at the back of the class than the life of the Archbishop.

Going into the film I was aware of King Henry II’s drinking problem, but similar to him, the rest of the information feels like a sambuca-tinted haze. My… 1 Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest? - Henry II. Well, they really don't make them like that anymore. Becket is one of those lush historical epics of the old school; an adaptation of the play 'Becket or the Honour of God' by the French playwright Jean Anouilh, it won Edward Arnhalt an Oscar for best screenplay. The story depicts the famous friendship and the subsequent enmity between Henry II, the first Plantagenet king, and Thomas Becket, whom Henry selected as Archbishop of Canterbury in an attempt to reform the church to his will.

Becket took his role unexpectedly seriously leading to the pair's estrangement and the infamous murder of Becket at the hands of four noblemen in 1170.… Review by Peter Bogert ★★★★ The Lion in Winter (1968) is one of my favorite films, so I was pretty excited to watch Peter O'Toole play Henry II again - in a film that was produced four years before The Lion in Winter. Becket is the story of Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) and his relationship with Henry II. The story takes place about a century after William the Conqueror and the Normans invaded England, beating and oppressing the native Saxons. Henry, as a descendant of William treats the Saxons as slaves or worthless peasants - anything but citizens. Becket - his counselor and friend - is a Saxon. Here's immediately the film's theme. We're confronted with Becket's dilemma of how to combine being both a… Review by Momo_13 ★★★★ "One performs according to ones ability." The story of King Henry II's unrequited love for Thomas Becket, Arch-Bishop of Canterbury.

This historical tale of two men once friends, turned political adversaries is deceptively simple but fleshed out and anchored by it's extraordinary leading men. The first act is the best, as O'Toole's slimy, lustful king rules off handedly, preferring to whore than think and relies heavily on the council of his friend Thomas Becket. In a moment not quite spontaneous, he names Becket chancellor and shortly thereafter despite warnings and pleas from Becket himself far more haphazardly names him as the replacement for the deceased Arch Bishop. Becket, having been aloof but dangerously efficient in his past roles finds meaning… Review by Ben Lott ★★½ Please forgive me, but history was never my strong suit. It seems if I was more of a student of history I might have known what to expect in Becket. Instead, I viewed it as a wholly concocted script and kind of judged it based on how effective that script was for me (not taking into account any of the actual events from history books.) Becket is probably one of the most forgettable films I've watched in a long time. The one thing that will stick with me are the performances of Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole.

They certainly make it a film worth watching. Sadly, I didn't feel the story rivaled the acting. It seems that the plot is… Peter O'Toole | Films | Movies | Cinema | Biography of this British actor - Peter O'Toole Peter O'Toole expandable Note should also be made of a role which I personally think is as good as his one in Lawrence - but is not widely recognised - that of Flavius Silva in Masada. Many of the qualities Peter used for Lawrence are found again here - the eminent watchability of a role which (in this movie) nearly becomes an anti-hero. Please if you can do not settle for the 'chopped of TV' market version - if you're not watching the whole six hours - don't even think of sitting down at the TV... After Lawrence of Arabia, O'Toole received six more nominations for the Best Actor Oscar but never won the award. In 2003, the Academy bestowed upon him the Academy Honorary Award for his lifetime achievements in film.

O'Toole initially balked about accepting and wrote the academy a letter saying he was "still in the game" and would like more time to "win the lovely bugger outright." In the end, O'Toole relented and agreed to appear at the ceremony and pick up his Oscar. O'Toole also has the distinction of being the only actor ever nominated for Academy Awards for playing the same character in two different films; he played King Henry II in both 1964's Becket and 1968's The Lion in Winter. He brought a depth of insight & self-awareness to both his towering dramatic portrayals & his delightfully outrageous comic overindulgences, performing them with unique flair & courage.

Peter has had the unique privilege of playing two kings (King Henry II in Becket (1964) and Sir/King Cedric Willingham in King Ralph (1991)), two emperors (Emperor Tiberius Caesar in Caligola (1979) and the Emperor of Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels (1996) (TV), a prince (Prince Meleagre in The Rainbow Thief (1990)), a president (President Paul von Hindenburg in Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003) (TV)) and several lords and a Roman General. More recently he appeared in Venus (2006) where he plays a version of himself (that never became a famous and lauded actor). He's an old man, in ill health, scraping a living playing minor parts on TV. He banters with old friends Leslie Phillips (who is brilliant) and Richard Griffiths. O'Toole is lively, caustic and still interested in the opposite sex, even if they are not interested in him! It brought him his eighth Oscar nomination that he didn’t win. Well worth watching.

I happily leave you with O’Toole’s own inimitable words—in this case on the subject of stage versus screen... “Oh, it's painful seeing it all there on the screen, solidified, embalmed. I love the theatre, because it's the art of the moment. I'm in love with ephemera & I hate permanence. Acting is making words into flesh. And I love classical acting, because you need the vocal range of an opera singer, the movement of a ballet dancer & the ability to act—as you turn your whole body into the musical instrument on which you play. It's more than behaviourism, which is what you get in the movies. What are movies anyway? Just F****** moving photographs—that’s all. But the theatre! Ah, there you have the impermanence that I love. It's a reflection of life somehow. It's...it's like... building a statue of snow.” Quotes: When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying and I suddenly realized I was talking to myself’ ‘I can't stand light. I hate weather.

My idea of heaven is moving from one smoke-filled room to another’ {at The 75th Annual Academy Awards} ‘ The only thing that wasn't enjoyable was in the green room. I said, 'Can I have a drink?' 'We have lemon juice, apple juice, still or sparkling.' I said, 'No, I want a drink. No drink?' I said, 'All right, I'm f**king off. I'll be back.' A man with earphones said, 'No! No!' Eventually this vodka was smuggled in Becket (1964) - IMDb IMDb 27 December 2016 11:44 PM, UTC NEWS There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC King Henry II of England comes to terms with his affection for his close friend and confidant Thomas à Becket, who finds his true honor by observing God's divine will rather than the king's.

Director: a list of 25 titles created 06 Sep 2011 a list of 22 titles created 28 Apr 2012 a list of 49 titles created 11 Nov 2012 a list of 32 titles created 23 Apr 2014 a list of 43 titles created 29 Apr 2015 Search for " Becket " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 23 nominations. See more awards » Videos 1183 AD: King Henry II's three sons all want to inherit the throne, but he won't commit to a choice. They and his wife variously plot to force him. Director: Anthony Harvey The story of Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarriage.

Director: Fred Zinnemann Henry VIII of England discards one wife, Katharine of Aragon, who has failed to produce a male heir, in favor of the young and beautiful Anne Boleyn. Director: Charles Jarrott A shy, withdrawn English schoolteacher falls for a flashy showgirl. Director: Herbert Ross 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X A member of the House of Lords dies, leaving his estate to his son. Unfortunately, his son thinks he is Jesus Christ. The other, somewhat more respectable, members of their family plot to steal the estate from him. Murder and mayhem ensue. Director: Peter Medak A dissolute matinee idol is slated to appear on a live TV variety show. Director: Richard Benjamin A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out, and falls for the leading lady. Director: Richard Rush In 1942, a Polish prostitute is murdered in Warsaw. Suspicion falls on three generals, and Major Grau of German Intelligence seeks justice despite the ongoing atrocities committed during WWII.

Director: Anatole Litvak The highly successful 1964 Richard Burton Broadway production of "Hamlet", deliberately staged in the style of a "dress rehearsal", but performed in front of a live audience. Directors: Bill Colleran, John Gielgud Stars: Richard Burton, Hume Cronyn, Alfred Drake After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman (Peter O'Toole) lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself. Based on Joseph Conrad's novel written in 1900. Director: Richard Brooks Edit Storyline Debauched King Henry II installs his longtime court facilitator Thomas Becket as the Archbishop of Canterbury, assuming that his old friend will be a compliant and loyal lackey in the King's ongoing battles with the church. But Becket unexpectedly finds his true calling on the ecclesiastical side, and aligns himself against the king's selfish wishes, causing a rift and an eventual showdown not only between the two men, but also the institutions they represent. Written by Jwelch5742 See All (76) » Taglines: An age of rampant lusts, abandon, runaway passions.

An age brought bristling to life by two of the most exciting stars of our time! See more » Genres: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and violence | See all certifications » Parents Guide: 11 March 1964 (USA) See more » Also Known As: 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)| Mono (Westrex Recording System) Color: Did You Know? Trivia A point not mentioned in the play is that Queen Eleanor's first marriage had been with King Louis VII of France; the marriage was later dissolved for reasons of common ancestry, although Henry was exactly as close a relation as Louis had been. See more » Goofs Although the story takes place in the late 12th century, the armored helmets that King Henry's children play in are right out of the 15th century, the same as one might see in films about Joan of Arc, or Henry the IVth and Vth. This choice by the costumers must have been purely aesthetic because the armor of the last 100 years of medieval times was by far the most splendid visually. See more » Quotes [first lines] King Henry II : Well, Thomas Becket. Are you satisfied?

Here I am, stripped, kneeling at your tomb, while those treacherous Saxon monks of yours are getting ready to thrash me. Me - with my delicate skin. I bet you'd never have done the same for me. But - I suppose I have to do this penance and make my peace with you. Hmm. What a strange end to our story. How cold it was when we last met - on the shores of France. Funny, it's nearly always been cold - except at the beginning, when we were friends.... (Bloomington, Indiana) – See all my reviews The tale of Thomas Becket has had many incarnations over time. T.S. Eliot's 'Murder in the Cathedral' is but the most recent acclaimed literary treatment; each revisitation seems to draw new elements forth from the story. Edward Anhalt won the Oscar for best screenplay (adapted from other material) for this film. This film shows Henry and Thomas Becket roughly equal in age (at variance from history, for in this time the age difference of 15 years is practically a generational difference).

Becket is shown as being a guide to Henry, but less from a master/pupil standpoint as it is a clever diplomatic with a utilitarian and almost Machiavellian sense about him. Henry is presented as coarse and unrefined, uneducated and in need of assistance, but historically this is unlikely. Becket is played admirably by Richard Burton; Henry II is portrayed by Peter O'Toole. Both were nominated for the best actor Oscar, but neither won. In addition to these nominations and the best screenplay award, the film was nominated for nine other Oscars, running the list from costumes, music, directing, best picture, and a best supporting actor nod for John Gielgud, whose cameo as the King of France is rather interestingly presented. Indeed, the movie has a remarkable realistic feel to it, particularly for a film from the 1960s, when cinema was as likely to portray stylised and idealistic images of the past.

The sets are in bare stone with a minimum of ornamentation, as would have been the case in Plantagenet times; likewise, the ceremony around the royal person is much less grand, and the church rather grand, which is both accurate and serves to highlight the underlying conflict of the story in the film. Becket is portrayed as a man of ambiguous loyalties -- a man of principle who has yet to find principles worthy of loyalty. Finally, in the role of archbishop, he finds a calling from the honour of God (and in so doing is not unlikely many priests who see their path to ordination as the means of spiritual grace; indeed, many are disappointed that the faith does not come with the office). Whether Thomas Becket actually experienced a spiritual conversion that made him a strong champion of the church, or in fact saw the power of the church as a means to an end of dominating the country, we will perhaps never know. In the film, Becket is often disparaged as being a Saxon; this is perhaps overstated, given his Norman lineage, which is never hinted at in the film. While he does not come from Norman nobility, he is far from being a simple Saxon.

Burton's portrayal of Becket shows the change from worldly chancellor to spiritual archbishop in unsubtle terms. Even so, there is an ambiguity that plays out marvelously in both his performance, and the reactions of the other characters who constantly question his sincerity. O'Toole's performance is not as polished as Burton's; when he plays an older, wiser Henry II in 'The Lion in Winter' four years later, the acting is much more dramatic and effective. It perhaps goes without saying that Pamela Brown does not make the same impression on the screen as Eleanor of Aquitaine as Katherine Hepburn does in the later film, but Eleanor is an incidental character in Becket in any case. Music in this film is not a prominent feature -- various trumpet and brass flourishes announce events or major scene changes in parts; a lot of chant (long before Gregorian chant achieved popular status) accompanies church scenes -- indeed, I credit this film for giving me my first real taste of Gregorian chant. The scene with Sian Phillips as Becket's love Gwendolyen is accompanied by period string instruments -- again, Phillips is a remarkable actress who is under-utilised in this performance.

Done in a flash-back manner, there is a resolution in the film -- Becket is dead, made a saint, honour is satisfied as the King does penance, and the people are happy. We know what is going to happen, but then, anyone with knowledge of history would likely know the story already. In fact, Henry's reign was rarely without challenge, but he was always powerful, and much more effective after Becket's death than before. Reigning for nearly twenty years after Becket's death, he left a very powerful Western European coalition of lands that soon fell apart, and embroiled England and France in war for centuries later. The tensions between church and state carry forward to this day; while the specifics of the challenges faces Becket and Henry II are very different from issues today, the principle of the relationship between church and state is far from definitively resolved. Also, the side-line issue of class warfare and racial prejudice (teased out with subtle nuance between the Normans and Saxons, who, ironically, look exactly the same on the screen) are addressed in an interesting, pre-civil rights sort of manner.

This issue is never resolved in the film, as indeed it wasn't in the 1960s, either. This is an intriguing film, with great acting and great production values, and an interesting story that, even if not completely historically accurate, does not alter the history so much that it becomes a parody of the subject. 66 of 78 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Peter O'Toole, wayward genius - CNN.com Irish-born screen and stage actor Peter O'Toole died Sunday at the age of 81 O'Toole was best known for his title role in the 1962 film "Lawrence of Arabia" Richard Fitzwilliams says O'Toole led a life that was rich in drama and eccentricity The talented actor's hellraising lifestyle limited his success, Fitzwilliams says The Irish born actor Peter O'Toole, who has died aged 81, led a life that was rich in drama and eccentricity. He was nominated for an Oscar a record eight times and never won.

The sheer bloodymindedness with which he then rejected an honorary Academy Award in 2003 was characteristic of a man who juggled triumph and disaster with panache. O'Toole wrote to the Academy: "I am still in the game and might win the lovely bugger outright. Would the Academy please defer the honor until I am 80?" Richard Fitzwilliams He was persuaded to accept only when told that the likes of Paul Newman and Henry Fonda had subsequently won the real thing. When receiving the award from Meryl Streep at the ceremony he quipped: "Always the bridesmaid, never a bride my foot!" It was the same unconventional streak that led to his refusal of a knighthood in 1987 and lent him a dangerous edge, which was also rather glamorous. He was a fantastic showman whose versatility was phenomenal. Read more: 'Giant of film and theater' dies at 81 O'Toole will always be remembered for his brilliant, many-faceted depiction of T.E. Lawrence in David Lean's classic 1962 film "Lawrence of Arabia," where he portrayed one of the most extraordinary human beings of the 20th century with amazing skill.

O'Toole's physical beauty in the role, with his memorably penetrating blue eyes, was remarkable and created an indelible image forever associated with the actor. JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH Peter O'Toole dies 02:57 This role was deeply complex as he conveyed Lawrence's courage, vision and genius as well as the more disturbing aspects of his personality, his blood lust, sadomasochism and flamboyance. His abilities here were also mirrored elsewhere in a career which reached dizzying heights, fell to desperate lows and which spanned over five decades. In uniform Lawrence was comically ill at ease, and it remains ironic that O'Toole's excellent performance as the ramrod stiff Guards officer in "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England" was pivotal in Lean's choice of him for the role. Robert Bolt's superlatively succinct dialogue in "Lawrence" also contained much humor. O'Toole excelled in humorous roles in star vehicles such as "How to Steal a Million," or playing a veteran actor who lusts after a friend's young grandniece in "Venus," his last Oscar-nominated film.

His performance as the gentle, much-loved schoolteacher Mr Chipping opposite Petula Clark in the musical version of "Goodbye Mr Chips" was a revelation, and he also showed sensitivity as the kindly royal tutor in "The Last Emperor." 'Worst Shakespeare production of century' In "Lawrence of Arabia" the character of Lawrence suffers in an endless search for his identity and O'Toole used his expressive face in this and several other angst-ridden roles with varying effect. He was unfairly criticized for his portrayal of the eponymous hero in "Lord Jim," hammed it up somewhat as a psychopathic German officer in "Night of the Generals" and, as the tormented Henry II opposite Richard Burton in "Becket," he was extremely moving in a superbly-cast film that received critical acclaim. O'Toole also played Henry II in "The Lion in Winter," the film adaptation of a lively play about the king's dysfunctional marital life, which allowed him to carry off a rip-roaring role with zest opposite Katharine Hepburn. Read more: Five of Peter O'Toole's best The role of Henry II saw him become one of only five performers to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same character.

O'Toole also possessed a highly distinctive voice which could convey a great variety of moods with seemingly effortless skill. He could, however, overact badly. In "The Ruling Class" he played a mad aristocrat in a ridiculous role, though it too was Oscar nominated, and he was wasted as King Priam in the dreadful epic "Troy." Playing Tiberius in Bob Guccione's grotesque "Caligula" was no career highlight either. But he had no shortage of success. His Oscar-nominated roles in "The Stunt Man" -- where he admitted basing his portrayal of a martinet of a director on his experiences with David Lean making Lawrence -- and in "My Favorite Year," where he played an alcoholic actor past his prime, were very highly regarded. Along with the others in the first night audience at the Old Vic I roared with shocked laughter at his "Macbeth" in 1980. The evening was a bizarre farce which was considered the worst Shakespeare production of the century.

It was on the same stage years later that he triumphed with his wondrously comic portrayal of the loveable but alcohol-soaked Soho writer in "Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell," which showed glorious comic timing. I particularly remember the roars of mirth when he carried off the celebrated "egg trick." Undoubtedly a hellraiser O'Toole had a highly distinguished theatrical career that included a controversial uncut "Hamlet" directed by Olivier to launch the National Theatre Company in 1963 and a much praised Professor Higgins in "Pygmalion" in 1984. He was also undoubtedly a hell-raiser in the same mold as Richard Burton and Richard Harris and stories about his heavy drinking were legendary. Debonair in appearance -- with his trademark cigarette holder -- O'Toole had a zest for life that would have been difficult to surpass, a considerable fondness for women, and was also a fine raconteur, as I discovered on meeting him. Despite advancing age, the standard of most of his performances remained high but undoubtedly had he chosen a more conventional lifestyle his achievements would have been even more substantial. But it was in "Lawrence of Arabia" that O'Toole was at his greatest.

The film, regarded by many critics as one of the finest ever made, captured the essence of a legend and it was the highlight of the career of Peter O'Toole, a truly wayward genius.

Question: Which actor played the part of 'King Henry II' in both 'Becket' in 1964 and 'The Lion In Winter' in 1968?
Answer: PETER O'TOOLE